Wednesday Round-Up

Cowan to Blues: Former All Black star Jimmy Cowan has been recruited by the Blues with a view to making a return to the Southern Hemisphere big time next season. Having plied his trade in England over the course of the last two seasons, Cowan will return to his native New Zealand to take up what is believed to be a two year deal with the Auckland based franchise. The Blues, led by former All Black himself Sir John Kirwan, recently lost star scrum half Piri Weepu to the English Aviva Premiership and the former Italian head coach believes Cowan is the right man to fill the rather large void left by the exit of Weepu. Having represented the Highlanders for much of his career, along with earning over a half century of appearances for the All Blacks, Cowan brings with him a wealth of experience along with a very specific set of skills. One of the finest exponents of the box kick and a player with an eye for a gap around the fringes, Cowan has most recently been playing with Tasman in the iTM Cup, before linking up with Sir John Kirwan and the rest of the Blues club staff.

Bans for duo: Both Jason Woodward and Jimmy Tupuo have been handed down bans of varying degrees today, after their involvement in respective discipline issues during last weekend’s round of the ITM Cup. Playing for the Wellington Lions, Woodward has been suspended for a solitary week, after he was found guilty of contravening law 10.4 for punching Canterbury winger Patrick Osborne during their sides’ recent clash on September 12th. The incident was referred to the citing commissioner Martin Harris on the accord of Canterbury. His suspension means that Woodward will miss the game against Tasman on the 21st. Utility forward Jimmy Tupuo has also been handed a lenient one week suspension, for a similar offence, striking an opponent. The Counties Manukau lock forward was found guilty of making contact with intent on Damian McKenzie in the final minute of the Round 5 clash with Waikato. He will miss their next clash with Canterbury on the 19th of September.

Ryan Sheady